Phonograph record adaptor



July 12, 1955 J. l.. D. MORRISON RRONOGRAPH RECORD ADAPTOR Filed March 27, 1951 /V f? mum-mmw-m J:

United States Patent-O PHGNGRAPH RECORD ADAPTOR James L. D. Morrison, Benton Harbor, Mich., assigner to V-M Corporation, Benton Harbor, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application March 27, 1951, Serial No. 217,854

3 Claims. (Cl. 274-42) The present invention relates generally to phonograph record adaptors. More particularly the invention relates to that type of adaptor which is designed for use with a phonograph record having a large sized spindle-receiving center hole therein, serves when in place to permit the record to be mounted on a standard small sized spindle in centered relation with a motor driven turntable, and consists of a substantially dat body which is shaped and adapted to tit in the large sized hole in the record and has in its central portion a hole for receiving the standard smallsized spindle.

One object of the invention is to provide an adaptor of this type which is an improvement upon and has certain inherent advantages over previously designed adaptors and is characterized by high efliciency, cheapness of construction and facility of mounting.

Another object of the invention is to provide a phonograph record adaptor of the type under consideration in which the body is of one-piece character and embodies (1) a plurality of rigid outwardly extending equidistantly spaced centering arms which have curved or arcuate outer end surfaces for engaging the diterent portions or the hole deiining edge of the record, and (2) a plurality of spring variety arms which correspond in number to the rigid centering arms, consist of comparatively wide outer parts and comparatively narrow inner parts, have in the outer ends of the outer parts thereof longitudinally extending grooves for receiving and interlocking with the hole defining edge of the record, and are adapted in connection with mounting of the adaptor to be flexed inwards a suicient distance so that the outer ends of the outer parts clear the hole defining edge of the record and then to be released so that they spring or ex outwards into an operative position wherein the grooves in the outer ends of the outer parts are in such interlocked relation with the hole defining edge of the record that the spring variety arms hold the adaptor as a whole against axial displacement with respect to the record.

Another object of the invention is to provide a phonograph record adaptor of the last mentioned character in which the comparatively narrow inner parts of the spring variety arms are arcuate in contour or configuration and extend circumferentially with respect to the body and each spring variety arm has the inner end of its inner part connected to the inner end of one of the rigid centering arms and has the comparatively wide outer part disposed adjacent, but spaced a small distance from, the next adjoining rigid centering arm.

Another object of the invention is to provide a phonograph record adaptor of the type and character under consideration in which the comparatively wide outery l.

parts of the spring variety arms are provided on opposite sides thereof with laterally extending integral lugs which have a twofold purpose in that they serve as handles whereby the spring variety arms may be fiexed inwards in connection with mounting of the adaptor in ICC 2 place and also serve when the adaptor is disposed between similar adaptors in connection with a stack of records on a phonograph turntable to form with the other adaptors interlocking driving connections whereby the records to which the adaptors are applied are caused conjointly to rotate with the turntable.

A further object of the invention is to provide a phonograph record adaptor of the type and character under consideration in which the outer side edges of the comparatively narrow inner parts of the spring variety arms are spaced inwards an appreciable distance from the outer ends of the comparatively wide outer parts and also the outer ends of the rigid centering arms and define outwards thereof comparatively long arcuate notches which, when the adaptor is on the supporting ledge of a record changer variety spindle, are adapted to receive and vaccommodate depending lugs on a similar superjacent adaptor so that the adaptor together with the record to which it is applied is free to be shifted laterally from the ledge without interference from the superjacent adaptor.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a phonograph record adaptor which is generally of new and improved construction, effectively and eiciently fulfills its intended purpose and is essentially simple in design and construction.

Other objects of the invention and the various ad` vantages and characteristics of the present phonograph record adaptor will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

in the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specication or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a plan View showing an adaptor embodying the invention applied to a phonograph record with a large sized spindle-receiving center hole;

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the adaptor illustrating by dotted lines the manner in which the spring variety arms are adapted to be exed inwards in connection with application or mounting of the adaptor;

Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse section taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 2 and showing in detail the manner in which the grooves in the outer ends of the comparatively large outer parts ofthe spring variety arms are adapted to interlock with the hole dening edge of the record when such arms are in their normal or operative postion; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse section taken on thc line 5 5 of Figure 2 and illustrating the manner in which the upstanding lugs on the outer parts of the spring variety arm coact with the depending lugs on a similar superjacent adaptor to form driving connections between the two adaptors.

The adaptor which is illustrated in the drawing constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It is illustrated in connection with a phonograph record R with a large sized spindle-receiving center hole r and serves, when in place as hereinafter described in detail, to permit the record to be mounted on a standard small sized spindle (not shown). The record R is of the type that is currently known as a 45 R. P. M. R. C. A. record. Such a record is designed to be played on a phonograph, the turntable of which is driven at 45 revolutions per minute by way of a single speed electric motor. It is also adapted, when equipped with the adaptor, to be mounted on a standard small sized spindle on a phonograph, Vthe turntable of which is driven by a multi-speed electric motor at speeds including 45 revolutions per minute. It is contemplated Ythat the spindle .heretofore de scribed will be in-centered lrelation with the turntable and may be of the ledge automatic record changer variety.

The adaptor is of one-piece character and may be formed of molded plastic material or made of stamped Vplurality, Aof rigid outwardly extending equidistantly spaced centering arms 11 and a plurality of spring variety arms 12.

- AThebody is of materially less diameter than the centerrhole rin'the'record R and has Yin its central portion a concentric'rsmallsized circular hole 13 for the V'aforementioned standard small sized spindle. lt is slight- Vly thicker-than `the record R and, as hereinafter described, Vis :maintained in. centered relation Vwith the hole r by the arms y1.1 and 12 when the adaptor is in its operative position within the hole r.

` The centering arms .il are vpreferably 3 in numberand are connected to, and project radially from, the outer periphery of the body 10. They have curved or arcuate outer end 'surfaces '14 and'these are so shaped and curved lthatwhen the adaptor is in its operative position within the hole r they tit flatly against the adjacent portions of the hole defining edge of the record R. The length of vthe arms 11 is such that when the adaptor is in place hole r. y The springvariety arms 12 correspond in number to, and are associated with, the rigid centering arms 11 and -con'sist'of comparativelyrwide outwardly and radially extending outer tparts 15 and comparatively narrow inner parts 16.'. The innerparts of the spring lvariety arms are arcuate in contour or configuration and extend circum- `ferentially with respect to the body 10. Each of the spring variety arms has what may be considered the inner .end of its inne-r part connected to the inner end of one of Ythe rigid centering arms il and is so arranged and designed that theuter part Al5 thereof is disposed ad- -jacent Ybut spaced a smalldistance from the next adjoining rigid centering arm. The spring variety arms as well as the centering arms are the same inY thickness as the substantially-circular body lli. The comparatively wide outer parts l5 of the spring variety arms are connected to the jouter ends ofthe inner parts 16 Vand 'project radially outwards therefrom. They haveV convexly curved outer ends in which are formed longitudinally extending grooves 17 or'receiving and interlocking with the adjacent portions of the hole dening edge-of the record R. The inner'side edges of the inner parts 16 of the spring variety arms arespaced 'from the adjacent portions of the outer periphery of the substantially circular body i9. The spring variety arms 12 are adapted in connection with mounting of the adaptor to be placed inwards a suicient distance so that the outer longitudinally curved ends of the outer parts l5 clear theV hole dening edge of the record (see dotted lines in Figure 2). They are further adapted, after insertion of the adaptor into the center hole r in the record, to be released so that they spring or ex outwards into an operative position wherein the grooves l? in the outer ends of the outer parts are in such interlockedrelation with the adjacent portions of vthe hole defining edgeof the record that thespring variety armsho'ld 'the adaptor as a whole in connected relation with the recordand against axial displacement relatively thereto. The outer side edges -of the comparatively narrow innerparts A.t6 of the spring variety arms are spaced inwards an'appreciable vdistance from the outer ends of the. outer parts l5 and the centering arms 11 Vand deiine 'outwards thereof three comparatively long arcuate notches T8, `the"purp`ose Vof which will be 'defined in detail hereafter. In applying the adaptor to the record R the adaptor vis placed over and in centered relation with the hole r. Thereafter the spring variety arms 12 are flexed inwards. After inward flexing of the spring variety arms the adaptor is shifted axially into the center hole of the Y record and then the spring variety arms are released so that they flex outwards into their operative position wherein the longitudinally extending `groovesl? in the outer 3()V Y they hold 'th-e body l0 intruly centered relation with the ends of the outer parts 15 are in interlocked relation with the adjacent portions of the hole defining edge of the record. When the adaptor isin place the spring variety arms lock the adaptor firmly to the hole delining edge of the record and also maintain the substantially circular body 10 in truly centered relation with the center hole.

The comparatively wide outer partsl of the vspring variety arms 12 are provided on opposite sides thereof with laterally extending integral cylindrical lugs 19.V

There are preferably two .lugs on each outer part 15 and these are arranged so that one projects upwards and the other projects downwards and is in circumferential offset yrelation with .respect to the one lug. The lugs 19 have a twofold purposerin that they serve as handles whereby the spring variety arms l2 may be flexed inwards in connection with mounting of the adaptor in place and also serve when the adaptor is disposed between similar adaptors in connection with a stack ofrecords on a phonograph turntable to form with the other adaptors interlocking driving connections whereby the records Y to which the adaptors are applied are caused coniointly to rotate with .the turntable. lf the adaptor is so positioned with respect to a similar superjacent adaptor that.

its upwardly extending lugs engage the outerparts of thc spring variety arms of the superiacent adaptor and are in abutment with the depending or downwardly extending lugs on the superjacent adaptor (see Figure 5) the Vupwardly extending lugs coact 'with the depending lugs to .form driving .connections between the two adaptors. On the Yother hand, if 'theadaptor is so positioned with respect to a similar superjacent adaptor that its upwardly extending lugs are disposed in the arcuate notches in the superjacent adaptor then such upwardly extending lugs will, inconnection with rotation of the phonograph turntable, engage either the outer parts of the spring variety arms of the superiacent adaptor or the rigid centering arms of said superjacent adaptor and form drive connections whereby said superiacent adaptor is caused to rotate conjointly with it. The arcuate notches 16 ofthe adaptorhave a twofold purpose. ln theiirst place .they are adapted in connection with certain positioning -of aV similarsuperiacent adaptor to receive the depend-Y `ing -or downwardly extending lugs on the superjacent adaptor. Secondly, if the adaptor is on the supporting 'ledge of a record changer variety spindle the arcuate notches 18, in the event that the depending Alugs of a Y similar superjacent adaptor are disposed therein, permit the adaptor together with the record to whichv it is applied to be shifted laterally from vthe ledge without any Ainterference'from the depending lugs of the similar super- -jacent adaptor.

The herein described adaptor is highly emcient Vand lt may be applied with facility and is characterized by the fact that its simplicity of design or construction permit` it to be manufactured at an extremely low cost.

The invention is not to Vbe understood as restricted to the detailsY set forth since these may be modified withirrthe scope Vof fthe appended claims without departing fromthespirit and scope of Vthe invention.

vHaving thus described the invention what l claim a's -new'anddesire to lsecure by Letters Patent is:

l. As a new -articleof manufacture, a one-piece adaptor designed for use'with aphonograph record having a 'large vsized 'center hole' therein, adapted to "tit within the hole andwhenin `p'lace to "permit the record to be mounted 'ona smallsize'dph'onograph spindle, anticomprising a substantially circular body of materially less size than the center hole in the record and having in its central portion a hole for receiving the spindle, a plurality of rigid equidistantly spaced centering arms connected to, and extending outwards from, the body anfl having curved outer end surfaces for engaging diiierent portions of the hole defining edge of the record, and a plurality of spring variety arms disposed between the centering arms and consisting of comparatively wide rigid outer parts and elongated comparatively narrow laterali? liexible curved inner parts extending substantially circumferentially around, but spaced a small distance outwards from, portions of the body, said spring variety arms having in the outer ends of their outer parts longitudinally extending grooves for receiving and interlocking with the hole dening edge of the record and being adapted in connection with mounting of the adaptor with respect to the record to be iiexed inwards a suiiicient distance so that the outer ends of the outer parts clear said hole defining edge and then to be released so they spring or iiex outwards into an operative position wherein said grooves are in gripping and interlocked relation with said hole defining edge of the record, the outer parts of the spring variety arms being provided on opposite sides thereof with outwardly extending lugs arranged and adapted to form handles for use in iiexing the spring variety arms inwards and also to form when the adaptor is positioned between similar adaptors interlocking driving connections whereby the adaptors are connected together for conjoint rotation.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a at one-piece adaptor designed for use with a phonograph record having a large sized center hole therein, adapted to t within the hole and when in place to permit the record to be mounted on a small sized phonograph spindle, and comprising a substantially circular body of materially less size than the central hole in the record and having in its central portion a hole for receiving the spindle, a plurality of rigid equidistantly spaced centering arms connected to, and extending outwards from, the body and having curved or arcuate outer end surfaces for engaging different portions of the hole defining edge of the record, and a plurality of spring variety arms corresponding in number to and disposed between, the centering arms and consisting of comparatively wide rigid outer parts and elongated comparatively narrow laterally flexible curved inner parts extending substantially circumferentially around, but spaced a small distance outwards from, portions of the body, each of the spring variety arms having one end of its inner part connected to the inner end of one of the centering arms and having its outer parts positioned adjacent, but spaced from, the next adjoining centering arm, said spring variety arms having in the outer ends of their outer parts longitudinally extending grooves for receiving and interlocking with the hole defining edge of the record and being adapted in connection with mounting of the adaptor with respect to the record to be exed inwards a suliicient distance so that the outer ends of the outer parts clear said holes defining edge and then to be released so they spring or ex outwards into an operative position wherein the grooves in the outer ends of said outer parts are in gripping and nterlocked relation with said hole defining edge of the record, the outer parts of the spring variety arms being provided on opposite sides thereof with outwardly extending lugs arranged and adapted to form handles for use in flexing the spring variety arms inwards and also to form when the adaptor is positioned between similar adaptors interlocking driving connections whereby the adaptors are connected together for conjoint rotation, the outer side edges of the inner parts of said spring variety arms being spaced inwards of the outer ends of the outer parts of the centering arms in order to form arcuate notches for loosely receiving the lugs on adjacent similar adaptors.

3. As a new article of manufacture, an adaptor designed for use with a phonograph record having a large center hole therein, adapted to iit within the hole and,

when in place to permit the record to be mounted on a small sized phonograph spindle of the oli-set record changer type, and comprising a body of less size than the center hole in the record and having in the central portion a hole for receiving the spindle, and a plurality of arms connected to, and extending outwards from, the body and designed and adapted to grip the hole defining edge of the record when the adaptor is mounted in place, the outer parts of the arms being provided on opposite sides thereof with upwardly and downwardly extending lugs adapted when the adaptor is positioned between similar adaptors to form interlocking driving connections whereby the adaptors are connected together for conjoint rotation, said adaptor being provided between said outer parts of the arms with comparatively long arcuate notches which are circumferentially aligned with the lugs, are of greater radial width than the width of the lugs, and are adapted when the adaptor is mounted on the olset of the spindle and a superjacent similar adaptor is positioned so that its downwardly extending lugs are in the notches to permit the adaptor to be shifted laterally oli the offset without interference on the part of the downwardly extending lugs of said superjacent similar adaptor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,886,735 Pridham Nov. 8, 1932 1,906,066 Holst et al. Apr. 25, 1933 2,283,797 Dech May 19, 1942 2,285,139 Andres June 2, 1942 2,544,010 Giannantonio Mar. 6, 1951' 2,585,622 Bridenbaugh et al Feb. 12, 1952 2,619,351 Kennedy Nov. 25, 1952 

